ACADEMICS / PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

Registration
Registration is usually conducted each spring at the closing of the school year, although school offices are open for registration two weeks before the school year begins to accommodate newcomers. Completing registration as early as possible is always advised. Some districts operate on a first-come, first-served basis. In order for a child to enter kindergarten, he or she must be five years of age before December 2 of the enrollment year. However, kindergarten is not mandatory, and children are not required to attend school until age 6. To register your child for public school, bring proof of age in the form of an official birth certificate and proof of required immunizations. California also requires a health examination within 18 months before entering first grade, no later than 90 days after entering first grade.

It would be helpful in the case of transferring students to bring official transcripts from the previous school attended or contact information for procuring records. Newcomers must also provide proof of residence such as driver license, voter/motor registration card, utility bill, rent statement, income tax return statement, and proof of home ownership (including a mortgage statement) or any official document showing both name and address.

Immunizations
State law demands that all school districts request and maintain proof that every student has been immunized or is exempt. Parents must submit a physician-signed certificate of immunization history including the proper frequency and intervals of immunizations for polio, diphtheria, hepatitis B., tetanus, measles, rubella, mumps, and pertussis. The latter two are not required for children age seven and older. If immunizations are not complete, parents are given a 15-day grace period after the date of enrollment for compliance. California also requires a physical exam within 18 months before a student enters first grade or no later than 90 days after entrance.

For complete details on registration or answers to specific questions about immunizations, medical exams, or any other issues, contact your local school district. The following state and county offices may also be helpful:

California State Department of Education
1430 N Street
Sacramento 916-319-0800
https://www.cde.ca.gov/

San Diego County Office of Education
6401 Linda Vista Road
San Diego 858-292-3500
https://www.sdcoe.net/

Assessment & Accountability
Every district and public school in California is required by law to issue a yearly School Accountability report Card or SARC. These reports include key information ranging from the ethnic composition of the school district to test results, dropout rates, curriculum, class size, teaching staff, and facilities. A SARC for a specific school or district is available by contacting the district office and placing your request. Some districts require that SARCs be picked up on person; others will mail them for a nominal fee.

Standardized Testing & Report (STAR)
Information 916-657-3011
https://star.cde.ca.gov/
The STAR web page presents the most recent results of Stanford 9 testing as well as comparative data. Year-to-year comparison reports are available for every school, district, county, and the state.

Charter Schools
These privately chartered public schools cover kindergarten through grade 12 and are created or organized by a group of teachers, community members, or parents. An existing local public school board or county board of education sponsors the school. California is allowing its charter schools to restructure programs around local needs, so the specific goals and operating procedures for the school are detailed in the agreement between the board and the organizers of the charter. In general, charter status allows a school to move from a rule-based to performance-based criteria of accountability. Contact your county office of education for more information about charter schools that are available in your community or within a reasonable commute:

San Diego County Office of Education
6401 Linda Vista Road
San Diego 858-292-3500
https://www.sdcoe.net/

Vocational & Career Training
Regional Occupational Centers/Programs or ROCP was primarily developed to provide high school juniors and seniors with school-to-career programs. Each program includes job-search skills such as resume development and interviewing techniques. ROCP serves college-bound students by allowing them to explore a career field or acquiring skills that will enable them to support their higher education through part-time employment. Adult Programs enable residents to upgrade skills or train in exciting new areas. The San Diego County ROP is largest county ROP in California, serving 45,000 students per year from 16 years of age through adult. For more information, contact the state or regional offices:

California ROCP
Online Information
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/rp/

San Diego County Regional Occupational Program
858-569-3116
https://www.sdcoe.net/

San Diego ROP Contacts
Adult Education
858-292-3754
School-to-Career
858-292-3759
East County Coordinator
858-292-3824
South County Coordinator
858-292-3754
North County Coordinator
858-571-7243